he New Year is the time for us to look forward. Given the current economic climate, now is the time to bring more creatives and entrepreneurs to Corvallis and to inspire all the ones who are already here.

Corvallis already stands out as a center for development of intellectual property and inventions. This distinguishing characteristic promises opportunities in the global economy. Our community can become a leading center of research, innovation and creative industries - the place where ideas start. This is our key to thriving in the new century.

Creative industries begin with individual creativity, skill and talent. They have tremendous potential for job creation through the generation and exploitation of intellectual property.

Creative industries are clean industries: architecture, arts, crafts, design, software, fashion, film, music, and the visual arts.

Creative industries generate many at-home businesses which keep families closer together and promote "localism." Americans for the Arts describes creative industry as "the high-octane fuel that drives the information economy."

Many leaders already are looking ahead. Team Corvallis is a group of Corvallis residents and business owners working together with the Software Association of Oregon, Mayor Tomlinson, Corvallis Tourism and the arts community to embrace and attract innovation.

Team Corvallis will launch a new business marketing campaign in late January to brand Corvallis as the heart of creativity, showcasing research-driven and local companies like ONAMI and Perpetua Power. We also will showcase the world-class research being done at Oregon State University. Our Web site, www.businessisgoodhere.com , is designed to generate new creative interest in Corvallis.

The Business Enterprise Center, our leading incubator for ideas and innovation, has become the fiscal agent for the site.

Team Corvallis is placing businessisgoodhere.com business cards throughout the state. Volunteers will distribute the cards at President Obama's inauguration later this month. These efforts will direct people to our Web site, which provides a main portal of entry and makes an immediate, emotional connection with the creative industry. It provides visitors with a vast selection of resources, to a designated agency or to a personal mentor from Team Corvallis. And it rewards anyone who visits the site with a free taste of Corvallis - candy made locally by Burst's, sent with a personal invitation to experience Corvallis.

Many local businesses and groups are already helping to sponsor the Web site. Please visit to learn how you can help our community prosper in the 21st century.

New York Times columnist and best-selling author Thomas Friedman recently wrote, "America still has the right stuff to thrive. We still have the most creative, innovative, culturally diverse, open society, in a world where the ability to generate new ideas with speed and global collaboration is the most important competitive advantage. The 21st century is still up for grabs."

Corvallis has an abundance of the "right stuff." Let's seize this opportunity now! To join us, send e-mail to teamcorvallis@businessisgoodhere.com.

Marti Staprans Barlow and Victoria Martinez are local women business owners and members of Team Corvallis.